The reigning champion confessed to questioning his physical endurance during his first competitive match since April's wrist injury.
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz began his 2026 US Open campaign with a commanding first-round victory, defeating world No. 99 Roman Safiullin in straight sets. The reigning champion showcased impressive form on Arthur Ashe Stadium, delivering a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 performance in two hours and 22 minutes.
Despite the dominant display, the world No. 3 revealed a surprising confession during his on-court interview. Alcaraz admitted to experiencing significant "doubts" about his physical stamina and ability to last the entire best-of-five-sets match after a prolonged absence from the tour.
This impressive comeback marked Alcaraz's first singles match since sustaining a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open on April 14, making his candid admission about inner struggles particularly striking, according to reporting by Tennis365.
Alcaraz's Dominant Return to Arthur Ashe Stadium
Playing under the lights in New York, the second-seeded Alcaraz wasted no time reasserting his presence at Flushing Meadows. His victory over Safiullin, a known threat on hard courts, was largely unchallenged, with the Spaniard breaking serve only once during the entire contest. Even that single break, which saw him fall 0-2 behind in the second set, was immediately nullified as he broke back in the very next game.
A single break of serve proved sufficient for Alcaraz to claim both the first and third sets, underscoring his control and efficiency. Reflecting on his return to the iconic court, Alcaraz expressed deep personal connection to the tournament. "This has been a really tough five months. To be able to step onto Arthur Ashe and compete again means so much. I couldn’t have picked a better tournament than here in New York," he stated.
The atmosphere of the US Open clearly resonated with him. "It’s a really special place and tournament for me. I missed the crowd, the energy, and the competition. I’m just really happy I was able to get back out there and compete again," Alcaraz added, highlighting the emotional significance of his return.
Overcoming Injury Layoff and Inner Doubts at US Open
The path back to competitive tennis was clearly challenging for Alcaraz, who had been sidelined since mid-April. Despite his strong performance, he openly admitted to moments of apprehension during the match itself. "There were some doubts in the match, I’m not going to lie. Thinking about if I would last the match, best of five, playing four or five sets," he confessed.
Alcaraz elaborated on his internal battle, stating, "I had a little bit of doubt, but I tried to forget everything and focus on the things I needed to improve. I thought about what would happen in the match and physically I felt really well." This insight reveals the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level while returning from injury.
His ability to manage these mental hurdles was a source of pride for the 23-year-old. "I’m most proud of mentally being able to deal with the nerves and doubts," Alcaraz emphasized, pointing to the crucial psychological component of his comeback win at the 2026 US Open.
Aiming for Improved Performance and Tournament Rhythm
Looking ahead in the tournament, Alcaraz acknowledged that while his opening performance was strong, there's still room for improvement. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is confident that his game will sharpen with each passing day. "I will get better and better after every day," he projected.
He further explained his perspective on his current form. "The level of tennis has got to be better. I’m happy with the levelled I played in my first official match in four months," Alcaraz said. This pragmatic view suggests a player focused on continuous progression throughout the demanding Grand Slam schedule.
Gaining match experience is key to his strategy. "I’m proud about it. But I need more matches under the belt, get into the rhythm of the tournament. I’m pretty sure I’m going to get better and better after every day," Alcaraz concluded, setting expectations for his evolving performance as the US Open 2026 progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Carlos Alcaraz last play before the 2026 US Open?
Carlos Alcaraz played his first competitive singles match at the 2026 US Open since April 14, when he sustained a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open.
What injury did Carlos Alcaraz recover from?
Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a right wrist injury, which had kept him off the court for five months, leading up to his return at the US Open.
Who did Carlos Alcaraz defeat in his opening match at the US Open?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated world No. 99 Roman Safiullin in straight sets during his first-round match at the 2026 US Open on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
What "doubts" did Carlos Alcaraz confess during his US Open comeback?
Alcaraz admitted to having doubts about his physical endurance and whether he could last a best-of-five-sets match after his lengthy injury layoff. He stated he felt physically well but still had internal questions about his stamina.